Rotarian works to free India of polio

Published: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 10:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 10:38 p.m.

Rotary International is a voluntary service organization of 1.2 million men and women in more than 209 countries. The dream of a world free of polio is perhaps the most ambitious and well-known project ever undertaken by Rotary.

For two weeks in February, as a member of Wilmington Downtown Rotary Club, I was one of nine area Rotarians to participate in National Immunization Day in India, a day when volunteers drop liquid polio vaccine into the mouths of young children.

We walked through many slum areas. Parents came out with their children and we placed the magic two drops on little tongues. Parents were always smiling and grateful. Whether we distributed Band-Aids or hard candy to the children, they were thrilled!

My team met at World Health Organization offices in Delhi for a briefing on India's battle against polio. I thought, “There is no way India can overcome all these obstacles!” And yet, India is very close to the three-year polio-free mark that will certify India as a polio free country.

The obstacles are many: India has international ports on its southwest and southeast coasts and its northwest border is Pakistan, an active polio country.”

Some 18 different languages and dialects are spoken. Many citizens cannot communicate with one another. Literacy rates vary widely by area. India has 1.2 billion people, and it's 70 percent rural, with many villages without roads. India's democracy is less than 60 years old. It has little practice in democratic self-government.

Given the tough odds, how has India put together more than two polio-free years?

There has been lots of help from public and private agencies and foundations. A lion's share of the credit resides with the Indian people.

Rotary contributed to this success story in many ways, one of which is advocacy. For many years and with unrelenting dedication, Rotary has used its international pulpit to preach “End Polio Now.” For years, public officials, private persons and celebrities have been recruited to support “End Polio Now.” Rotary helped develop printed materials, including comic books for populations that couldn't read.

When the Muslim community faced increasing polio threats, Rotary approached the Muslim hierarchy and, in time, Muslim leaders urged their followers to vaccinate their children.

I am fiercely proud to be a member of Rotary International, which has placed its reputation on the line for this cause. We are so close...

Sandra Kalom is a member of the Wilmington Rotary Club.

The StarNews welcomes articles contributed by readers. They should be 400 words or less and accompanied by a good-quality photograph. Contact Community News Editor Si Cantwell at 343-2364 or si.cantwell@starnewsonline.com.

<p>Rotary International is a voluntary service organization of 1.2 million men and women in more than 209 countries. The dream of a world free of polio is perhaps the most ambitious and well-known project ever undertaken by Rotary.</p><p>For two weeks in February, as a member of Wilmington Downtown Rotary Club, I was one of nine area Rotarians to participate in National Immunization Day in India, a day when volunteers drop liquid polio vaccine into the mouths of young children.</p><p>We walked through many slum areas. Parents came out with their children and we placed the magic two drops on little tongues. Parents were always smiling and grateful. Whether we distributed Band-Aids or hard candy to the children, they were thrilled!</p><p>My team met at World Health Organization offices in Delhi for a briefing on India's battle against polio. I thought, “There is no way India can overcome all these obstacles!” And yet, India is very close to the three-year polio-free mark that will certify India as a polio free country.</p><p>The obstacles are many: India has international ports on its southwest and southeast coasts and its northwest border is Pakistan, an active polio country.”</p><p>Some 18 different languages and dialects are spoken. Many citizens cannot communicate with one another. Literacy rates vary widely by area. India has 1.2 billion people, and it's 70 percent rural, with many villages without roads. India's democracy is less than 60 years old. It has little practice in democratic self-government.</p><p>Given the tough odds, how has India put together more than two polio-free years?</p><p>There has been lots of help from public and private agencies and foundations. A lion's share of the credit resides with the Indian people.</p><p>Rotary contributed to this success story in many ways, one of which is advocacy. For many years and with unrelenting dedication, Rotary has used its international pulpit to preach “End Polio Now.” For years, public officials, private persons and celebrities have been recruited to support “End Polio Now.” Rotary helped develop printed materials, including comic books for populations that couldn't read.</p><p>When the Muslim community faced increasing polio threats, Rotary approached the Muslim hierarchy and, in time, Muslim leaders urged their followers to vaccinate their children.</p><p>I am fiercely proud to be a member of Rotary International, which has placed its reputation on the line for this cause. We are so close...</p><p>Sandra Kalom is a member of the Wilmington Rotary Club.</p><p>The StarNews welcomes articles contributed by readers. They should be 400 words or less and accompanied by a good-quality photograph. Contact Community News Editor <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic22"><b>Si Cantwell</b></a> at 343-2364 or si.cantwell@starnewsonline.com.</p>